This is the Difference Between Dentures and Dental Implants

Whether you’re just beginning to lose your teeth or are an older adult looking to replace the ones you’ve lost, you may have heard about dental implants and dentures. Dental implants have many advantages over traditional dentures, but when it comes down to it, what’s the difference between the two?

Dentures are false teeth that are held in place by clasps attached to surrounding teeth or the bone of your upper or lower jaw. Dental implants, on the other hand, offer a longer-lasting alternative to dentures, as they are placed directly into your jawbone.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures can be an aesthetic solution to replace missing teeth. They can be made of porcelain, plastic, or a combination of both. The two parts of dentures are called a base plate and an abutment. The base plate fits over your gum tissue on either side of your jawbone where teeth were removed, supporting the new denture in place.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant, or an endosseous implant, is a medical device inserted in the gum line and supporting a dental prosthesis like a crown, bridge, or denture. It is made of titanium and acts as an anchor for these restorations. The implant itself replaces the lost root structure of either a single tooth or multiple teeth (depending on what was lost). This treatment option allows patients to restore their smiles without sacrificing functionality.

How Much Do They Cost?

One of the biggest differences between dental implants and dentures is price. The cost of a set of dentures is about $2,000 on average. This includes installation but doesn’t include extras like optional whiter color materials or partials for when you don’t want to wear your full set.

The average price for one dental implant ranges from $1,600 to $3,000, depending on size and location. Implant-retained dentures can be more expensive but also offer greater stability than removable dentures because they are attached directly to your jawbone with titanium screws.

How Long Do They Last?

From one point of view, dentures aren’t necessarily a bad option-they’re designed to last a lifetime, after all. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t come with problems. Dentures are attached to existing teeth with adhesive; over time, that adhesive can lose its effectiveness and need to be replaced. In addition, denture wearers often complain of feeling uncomfortable in their mouth as they get used to wearing new teeth.

Which Procedure Should I Choose?

You should decide whether you want dentures or dental implants based on your needs. If you are missing one tooth, then a removable denture may be suitable. It’s easy to wear, convenient, affordable, and helps to keep your face looking young while bringing back your ability to chew food normally.

However, if you have multiple missing teeth it’s important that you speak with a dentist about dental implants as they could work out as a more cost-effective option in comparison to having false teeth fitted over time.

What Are All the Benefits of Dental Implants Over Dentures?

As an example, when eating, a person with dentures can feel their plates sliding back and forth. This happens because dentures are designed to be movable in order to allow for chewing.

On the other hand, implant-supported dentures are fixedly affixed onto your jawbone, creating a sturdy foundation for your teeth so you can eat whatever you want without even thinking about it. And it’s not just functional-it’s a difference in self-confidence as well. People with dentures have an extremely hard time speaking without moving their mouths around too much.

But when you talk with dental implants, they make no noise at all! It’s a huge relief from having to move them around or keep them from making any noise at all.

What we love most about getting our teeth replaced through dental implants is that they last forever and are actually stronger than our natural teeth were! When your gums recede or you lose some of your teeth completely through injury or wear-and-tear, get some dental implants. Your dentist will literally screw in an artificial tooth directly into your jawbone and sculpt it so that it looks just like your original tooth would look if it were still there.